Nonionic inversion agents for water-in-oil latices and methods of use

ABSTRACT

Water-in-oil latices of water soluble or dispersible polymers and methods of using the same are presented. The latices include nonionic inversion agents that provide rapid and complete inversion of the latices under conditions wherein the water source used to invert the latex is provided at high temperature, or includes a high level of total dissolved solids, or is both high temperature and high total dissolved solids.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to water-in-oil latices of water dispersible polymers and compositions that provide for rapid inversion of the latices when diluted.

BACKGROUND

Crude oil development and production can include up to three distinct phases: primary, secondary, and tertiary (or enhanced) recovery. During primary recovery, the natural pressure of the reservoir or gravity drives oil into the wellbore, combined with artificial lift techniques (such as pumps) which bring the oil to the surface. But only about 10 percent of a reservoir's original oil in place is typically produced during primary recovery. Secondary recovery techniques extend a field's productive life generally by injecting water or gas to displace oil and drive it to a production wellbore, resulting in the recovery of 20 to 40 percent of the original oil in place.

Enhanced oil recovery, or EOR, is a generic term encompassing techniques for increasing the amount of crude oil that can be extracted from a subterranean formation such as an oil field. EOR techniques offer prospects for ultimately producing 30 to 60 percent, or more, of the reservoir's original oil in place. Three major categories of EOR have been found to be commercially successful to varying degrees:

Thermal recovery is the introduction of heat such as the injection of steam to lower the viscosity of the oil and improve its ability to flow through the reservoir.

Gas injection is the injection of gases such as natural gas, nitrogen, or carbon dioxide that expand in a reservoir to push additional oil to a production wellbore, or gases that dissolve in the oil to lower its viscosity and improve flow rate.

Chemical injection is the injection of polymer dispersions to increase the effectiveness of waterfloods, or the use of detergent-like surfactants to help lower the surface tension that often prevents oil droplets from moving through a reservoir. Chemical injection of a polymer is also referred to as polymer flooding. This method improves the vertical and areal sweep efficiency as a consequence of improving the water/oil mobility ratio. In addition, the polymer reduces the contrasts in permeability by preferentially plugging the high permeability zones flooded. This forces the water to flood the lower permeability zones and increases the sweep efficiency. The art in this area is well-developed for conventional oil recovery applications.

Of these techniques, polymer flooding using water-in-oil (w/o) latex products is particularly favored for use in offshore reservoirs and other relatively isolated operations due to the ease of use and relatively simple equipment requirements. Polymer flooding is generally accomplished by dissolving the selected polymer in water and injecting the polymer solution into the reservoir. However, since the target concentration of polymer in the polymer dispersions is typically about 1 wt % or less, transport at the target concentration is not economically efficient. Transporting the dried polymers, while economically efficient for the supplier, is not favorable for field use due to limited space for dry polymer make-down equipment and difficulties in fully hydrating the polymers in the field. To address these issues, various formulations have been developed to allow economically feasible transportation and storage. Specialized methods have also been developed to convert the formulations to use concentrations of fully hydrated polymers in the field.

Organic polymers traditionally used in EOR include water soluble polymers such as polyacrylamide homopolymers and copolymers with acrylic acid or conjugate base thereof and/or one or more other water soluble monomers, and hydrophobically modified water soluble polymers, also called associative polymers or associative thickeners. Associative thickeners are typically copolymers of acrylamide, acrylic acid, or both with about 1 mole % or less of a hydrophobic monomer such as a C₈-C₁₆ linear or branched ester of acrylic acid. Any of these water soluble polymers are deliverable as a dry powder, as a gel-like concentrate in water, or in the water phase of a w/o latex. Of these formats, water-in-oil latices have the advantage of being deliverable in a liquid format that is easily handled in the field because the latex viscosity is lower than that of a water solution of comparable wt % polymer. The liquid products are also easy to make down with little equipment and a small space footprint compared to that of dry polymer products.

Commercial w/o latices are formulated for EOR by dissolving monomer(s) in a high-solids aqueous solution to form a water phase (or monomer phase), mixing one or more hydrocarbon solvents and a surfactant or a blend thereof having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of about 2 to 10 to form an oil phase, mixing the two phases using techniques to result in a water-in-oil emulsion or latex, and polymerizing the monomer via a standard free-radical initiation. The w/o latex may be a macroemulsion, nanoemulsion, microemulsion, or combination thereof. The free radical initiation may be radiation, photo, thermal, or redox initiation, or any combination thereof. After polymerization is complete, a higher HLB surfactant (HLB>10) or a blend thereof having an HLB>10 is often added to facilitate latex inversion when water is added. “Inversion” is a term of art to describe the dilution of w/o latices with a water source, causing destabilization of the latex and subsequent dissolution of the concentrated polymer particles. In some cases, the higher HLB surfactant is added in the field, immediately prior to addition of water to dilute the latex; or is added in-line with the water source used to dilute the latex. In other cases, the higher HLB surfactant is added directly to the w/o latex after polymerization is complete, and the latex is stable or even shelf stable. In such cases, careful control of type and amount of surfactant is required to provide a sufficiently stable latex to facilitate storage and transportation, while providing for improved inversion performance in the field.

Recently, there has arisen the need to address polymer flooding in challenging conditions encountered in reservoirs wherein the ambient or produced water contacted by the polymer includes high total dissolved solids, such as a high saline or hardness content, in some cases involving total dissolved solids of up to about 30 wt %. In some cases the ambient or produced water is tap water, hard water, brackish water, municipal waste water, produced water, or seawater. Field operators strongly prefer to use such water sources to dilute polymer flooding formulations to final use concentrations rather than employ purified water sources. Reasons for the preference include reducing costs by diverting some or all of the water source already being injected into a reservoir to dilute the polymer flooding formulations and reducing the environmental impact associated with employing a purified water source. However, use of such water sources leads to difficulties in dispersing the high molecular weight polymers to use concentrations. Inversion of w/o latices in such water sources can result in slow inversion times and/or the requirement of multistage dilution and mixing procedures; it can also result in coagulation, precipitation, or gross phase separation of polymer upon or after contact of the latex with the diluted water environment. Thus there is a need to address inversion of w/o latices in field conditions where the use water source has high total dissolved solids.

Another need in the industry is to address reservoirs where the water source contacted by a w/o latex is at an extreme temperature, such as 30° C. to 100° C. or −10° C. to 10° C. Extreme temperature water sources lead to difficulties in dispersing high molecular weight, water soluble polymers delivered in w/o latices, similarly to the difficulties encountered in the use of high total dissolved solids water sources. In some cases, conditions of both extreme temperature and high total dissolved solids are encountered in the ambient or produced water source employed to dilute polymer flooding formulations to use concentrations. Such conditions cause instability of w/o latices during inversion, evidenced by formation of gel particles, coagulum, polymer coated out on contact surfaces, and gross coalescence of phases (conventionally referred to as “separation”) and the like. The products of this instability cause plugged equipment in the field, reduced reservoir permeability, plugged formation, and ultimately failure to accomplish mobility control within the reservoir. These problems remain largely unaddressed by conventional formulations, methods, and equipment developed for inversion of w/o latices in the field. For example, formulations described in US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0051620 A1, which comprise an inversion agent such as glycerol, do not provide satisfactory performance under conditions using water sources having high total dissolved solids, extreme temperature, or both.

As a result, there is a substantial need in the industry to develop technologies suitable for carrying out enhanced oil recovery in reservoirs where high temperature water sources, high total dissolved solids water sources, or both are used in conjunction with EOR. There is a substantial need in the industry for w/o polymer latices that invert rapidly to form stable, fully hydrated or dissolved polymer solutions at water temperatures of 30° C. to 100° C. There is a substantial need in the industry for w/o polymer latices that invert rapidly to form stable, fully hydrated or dissolved polymer solutions using water sources having up to 30 wt % total dissolved solids. There is a substantial need in the industry for w/o polymer latices that invert rapidly to form stable, fully hydrated or dissolved polymer solutions at polymer concentrations of 1 wt % or less using water sources having high total dissolved solids, high temperature, or both.

SUMMARY

Described herein are water-in-oil (w/o) latices. The latices are formed by combining about 0.1 wt % to 20.0 wt % of a nonionic inversion agent with about 15 wt % to 70 wt % of a water soluble or dispersible polymer comprising 1 mol % to about 100 mol % acrylamide monomers; and about 0.1 wt % to 20.0 wt % of an inversion surfactant having a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of 10 or greater. In some embodiments, the w/o latex comprises about 0.1 wt % to 5.0 wt % of a nonionic inversion agent; about 15 wt % to 70 wt % of the water soluble polymer; about 0.1 wt % to 20.0 wt % of the inversion surfactant; about 3 wt % to 50 wt % water; about 10 wt % to 40 wt % of a compound or blend thereof that is less than 0.1 wt % soluble in water at 25° C. and is substantially a liquid over the range of 20° C. to 90° C. and comprising linear, branched, or cyclic hydrocarbon moieties; and about 20 wt % or less of a latex surfactant characterized as having a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of between 2 and 10.

Also described herein is a method of forming an invertible latex, the method comprising a) forming a water-in-oil latex comprising about 15 wt % to 70 wt % of a water soluble or dispersible polymer; about 3 wt % to 50 wt % water; about 10 wt % to 40 wt % of a compound or blend thereof that is less than 0.1 wt % soluble in water at 25° C. and is substantially a liquid over the range of 20° C. to 90° C. and comprising linear, branched, or cyclic hydrocarbon moieties; and about 20 wt % or less of a latex surfactant characterized as having a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of between 2 and 10; and b) adding to the latex about 0.1 wt % to 20.0 wt % of an inversion surfactant characterized as having a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of 10 or greater and about 0.1 wt % to 5.0 wt % of a nonionic inversion agent to form an invertible latex.

Also described herein is a method of recovering hydrocarbon compounds from a subterranean reservoir, the method comprising a) forming an invertible latex comprising about 15 wt % to 70 wt % of a water soluble or dispersible polymer, about 3 wt % to 50 wt % water, about 10 wt % to 40 wt % of a compound or blend thereof that is less than 0.1 wt % soluble in water at 25° C. and is substantially a liquid over the range of 20° C. to 90° C. and comprising linear, branched, or cyclic hydrocarbon moieties, and about 20 wt % or less of a latex surfactant characterized as having a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of between 2 and 10; and adding to the latex about 0.1 wt % to 20.0 wt % of an inversion surfactant characterized as having a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of 10 or greater and about 0.1 wt % to 5.0 wt % of a nonionic functional inversion agent; b) adding a water source to the invertible latex in a single addition to form a polymer flooding solution comprising about 100 ppm to 10,000 ppm of the water soluble or dispersible polymer; c) injecting the polymer flooding solution into the subterranean reservoir; and d) recovering the hydrocarbon compounds.

Additional advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned through routine experimentation upon practice of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a line graph of torque monitor data at 60° C. showing the invertibility of w/o latices comprising 3 wt % of a nonionic inversion agent and 3.3% of TDA-12 as an inverting surfactant ([polymer]=10000 ppm in 3.5% SSW).

FIG. 2 is a line graph of torque monitor data at 60° C. showing the invertibility of w/o latices comprising 3 wt % of a nonionic inversion agent and 3.3% of TDA-12 as an inverting surfactant ([polymer]=10000 ppm in 3.5% SSW).

FIG. 3 is a line graph of torque monitor data at room temperature showing the invertibility of w/o latices comprising 3 wt % of a nonionic inversion agent and 3.3% of TDA-12 as an inverting surfactant ([polymer]=10000 ppm in 3.5% SSW).

FIG. 4 is a line graph of torque monitor data at 4° C. showing the invertibility of w/o latices comprising 3 wt % of a nonionic inversion agent and 3.3% of TDA-12 as an inverting surfactant ([polymer]=10000 ppm in 3.5% SSW).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the present disclosure provides references to preferred embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims.

DEFINITIONS

As used herein, the term “polymer” means a water soluble or water dispersible polymer. The term “polymer” encompasses and includes homopolymers, copolymers, terpolymers and polymers with more than 3 monomers, crosslinked or partially crosslinked polymers, and combinations or blends of these.

The term “monomer” is used in context to mean an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable compound or the polymerized residue thereof. As used herein, the term “anionic monomer” means an unsaturated compound or polymerized residue thereof bearing an acidic group, or a salt thereof. As used herein, the term “cationic monomer” means an unsaturated compound or polymerized residue thereof bearing a positive charge, or a salt thereof.

As used herein, the term “polymer solution” or “polymer dispersion” means a polymer composition substantially dispersed or dissolved in water, a water source, or a water-based solution. The polymer solution is a solution as formed, or in the case of some EOR applications the solution before injection, during injection, or after injection as determined by context. Water-based solutions include one or more dissolved salts, buffers, acids, bases, surfactants, or other dissolved, dispersed, or emulsified compounds, materials, components, or combinations thereof.

As used herein, the term “water source” means a source of water comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of fresh water, deionized water, distilled water, produced water, municipal water, waste water such as runoff water or municipal waste water, treated or partially treated waste water, well water, brackish water, “gray water”, sea water, or a combination of two or more such water sources as determined by context. In some embodiments, a water source includes one or more salts, ions, buffers, acids, bases, surfactants, or other dissolved, dispersed, or emulsified compounds, materials, components, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, a water source includes about 0 wt % to 30 wt % total dissolved solids. Generally and as determined by context, the term “water source” includes high total dissolved solids water sources, high temperature water sources, and water sources that are both high total dissolved solids and high temperature water sources.

As used herein, the term “high temperature” means about 30° C. to 100° C., as specified or determined by context.

As used herein, the term “high total dissolved solids” refers to a water source having at least 1 wt % non-polymeric solids dissolved therein, and in embodiments up to about 30 wt % non-polymeric solids dissolved therein. In general, “saline” or “salinity” refers to a water source wherein a portion, in some embodiments a substantial portion, of the total dissolved solids are salts, as determined by context.

As used herein, the terms “water-in-oil latex” or “w/o latex” mean a discontinuous internal water phase within a continuous oil phase, wherein the water phase includes at least one monomer or polymer. In general and as determined by context, these terms denote a latex prior to addition of inverting surfactants.

As used herein, the term “oil” or “hydrocarbon solvent” as applied to an oil phase of a water-in-oil latex, means any compound or blend thereof that is less than 0.1 wt % soluble in water at 25° C., is substantially chemically inert within a w/o latex as described herein, and is a liquid over at least the range of 20° C. to 100° C.

As used herein, the term “water phase” means a water source having at least a monomer or polymer dispersed or dissolved therein, further wherein the dispersion or solution is a discontinuous phase within a w/o latex.

As used herein, the term “stable” as applied to a latex or emulsion means a kinetically stable latex or emulsion that absent any force applied, temperature change, or chemical added to a latex, the latex is or is capable of being substantially free of coagulation, plating out, precipitation, gross coalescence of phases (conventionally referred to as “separation”) or any other evidence of instability conventionally associated with water-in-oil latices for at least about 24 hours at about 20° C. As used herein, the term “shelf stable” means stable for at least 2 months. As used herein, the term “freeze-thaw stable” means stable after at least 1 freeze-thaw cycle.

As used herein, the term “invertible latex” means a w/o latex additionally including at least one inversion surfactant and at least one inversion agent, the inversion agent comprising at least one nonionic compound.

As used herein, the term “invert” or “inversion” as applied to the w/o latices of the invention means to contact an invertible latex with a water source in an amount sufficient to form a polymer flooding solution.

As used herein, the term “polymer flooding solution” or “polymer solution” means a polymer solution or dispersion of about 100 ppm (0.01 wt %) to 10,000 ppm (1.00 wt %) resulting from the inversion of an invertible latex.

As used herein, the term “single component” as applied to the w/o latices of the invention means that at least one inversion surfactant and at least one inversion agent are added to an existing w/o latex and the combination is shelf stable. The term is used in contrast to inversion surfactants or other compounds added in-line during injection and inversion.

As used herein, the term “optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described component, event or circumstance may be, but need not be present or occur. The description therefore discloses and includes instances in which the event or circumstance occurs and instances in which it does not, or instances in which the described component is present and instances in which it is not.

As used herein, the term “about” modifying, for example, the quantity of an ingredient in a composition, concentration, volume, temperature, time, yield, flow rate, pressure, and like values, and ranges thereof, employed in describing the embodiments of the disclosure, refers to variation in the numerical quantity that can occur, for example, through typical measuring and handling procedures used for making compounds, compositions, concentrates or use formulations; through inadvertent error in these procedures; through differences in the manufacture, source, or purity of starting materials or ingredients used to carry out the methods, through standard operating machine error, and like proximate considerations. The term “about” also encompasses amounts that differ due to aging of a formulation with a particular initial concentration or mixture, and amounts that differ due to mixing or processing a formulation with a particular initial concentration or mixture. Where modified by the term “about” the claims appended hereto include equivalents according to this definition.

As used herein, the term “substantially” means “consisting essentially of”, as that term is construed in U.S. patent law, and includes “consisting of” as that term is construed in U.S. patent law. For example, a solution that is “substantially free” of a specified compound or material may be free of that compound or material, or may have a minor amount of that compound or material present, such as through unintended contamination or incomplete purification. A “minor amount” may be a trace, an unmeasurable amount, an amount that does not interfere with a value or property, or some other amount as provided in context. A composition that has “substantially only” a provided list of components may consist of only those components, or have a trace amount of some other component present, or have one or more additional components that do not materially affect the properties of the composition. Additionally, “substantially” modifying, for example, the type or quantity of an ingredient in a composition, a property, a measurable quantity, a method, a value, or a range, employed in describing the embodiments of the disclosure, refers to a variation that does not affect the overall recited composition, property, quantity, method, value, or range thereof in a manner that negates an intended composition, property, quantity, method, value, or range. Where modified by the term “substantially” the claims appended hereto include equivalents according to this definition.

Water-in-Oil Latices

We have found inversion agents that provide rapid and complete inversion of water-in-oil (w/o) latices of water soluble polymers under conditions wherein the water source used to invert the latex is provided at high temperature, or includes a high level of total dissolved solids, or is both high temperature and high total dissolved solids. The w/o latices useful in conjunction with the compositions and methods of the invention are conventional latices employed in one or more EOR applications, wherein the inversion agents are added to the w/o latices to facilitate inversion to yield a polymer solution for EOR. Polymer solutions for EOR conventionally target a concentration of about 1.00 wt % or less. The compositions and methods of the invention are easily carried out using conventional materials and equipment familiar to one of skill in w/o latex formation for EOR.

Polymers useful in the w/o latices include conventional EOR polymers as well as variations, mixtures, or derivatives thereof. The invention is not particularly limited as to the polymer employed in the water phase of the w/o latices, however, in embodiments the polymer is water soluble or fully dispersible to result in increased viscosity suitable for one or more EOR applications at concentrations of 1 wt % or less. Thus, polyacrylamides, polyacrylates, copolymers thereof, and hydrophobically modified derivatives of these (associative thickeners) are the most commonly employed EOR polymers; all are usefully employed in the w/o latices. Associative thickeners typically include about 1 wt % or less, based on total weight of dry polymer, of a monomer having a long-chain hydrocarbon functionality intended to produce physical or associative crosslinking in a water-based polymer dispersion. Such hydrophobically associating moieties are well known in the industry. In some embodiments, the hydrocarbyl functionality includes 8 to 20 carbons, or 10 to 20 carbons, or 12 to 20 carbons arranged in a linear, branched, or cyclic conformation. In some embodiments, the hydrophobically associating monomers are present in the polymer compositions at about 1 wt % or less of the total weight of the polymer composition, for example about 0.01 wt % to 1.00 wt %, or about 0.1 wt % to 1.00 wt %, or about 0.20 wt % to 1.00 wt % of the total weight of the polymer composition.

Other monomers usefully incorporated into the polymers and copolymers with acrylamide, acrylic acid, or both include cationic monomers, anionic monomers, and nonionic monomers. Nonlimiting examples of cationic monomers include N,N-diallyl-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC), N-alkyl ammonium salts of 2-methyl-1-vinyl imidazole, N-alkyl ammonium salts of 2-vinyl pyridine or 4-vinyl pyridine, N-vinyl pyridine, and trialkylammonium alkyl esters and amides derived from acrylic acid or acrylamide, respectively. Nonlimiting examples of anionic monomers include methacrylic acid, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMS), vinylphosphonic acid, and vinyl sulfonic acid and conjugate bases or neutralized forms thereof (salts). Nonlimiting examples of nonionic monomers include methacrylamide and alkyl ester or amide derivatives of acrylic acid or acrylamide, such as N-methyl acrylamide or butyl acrylate.

Polymers employed for EOR are desirably high molecular weight, as conventionally employed in EOR applications. Higher molecular weight increases the efficacy of the polymers in viscosifying water. However, higher molecular weight also increases difficulty in dissolution due to the high level of chain entanglement between polymer strands as well as strong hydrogen bonding between polymer functionalities such as amides and carboxylates. In embodiments, the polymers usefully incorporated in the w/o latices have a weight average molecular weight (M_(w)) of about 5×10⁵ to 1×10⁸ g/mol, or about 1×10⁶ to 5×10⁷ g/mol, or about 5×10⁶ to 2×10⁷ g/mol.

In embodiments, any polymer(s) useful in the w/o latices disclosed herein includes a cross-linking monomer or polymer. The crosslinker may be labile, non-labile, or a combination thereof. The labile crosslinker may be a glyoxal cross-linking monomer as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0209304, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The non-labile crosslinker may be methylene bis(acrylamide) as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,300,973, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In embodiments, the polymer comprises about 1 mol % to about 100 mol % acrylamide monomers, or about 1 mol % to about 90 mol %, or about 1 mol % to about 80 mol %, or about 1 mol % to about 70 mol %, or about 1 mol % to about 60 mol %, or about 1 mol % to about 50 mol %, or about 1 mol % to about 40 mol %, or about 1 mol % to about 30 mol %, or about 1 mol % to about 20 mol %, or about 1 mol % to about 10 mol %, or about 10 mol % to about 100 mol %, or about 20 mol % to about 100 mol %, or about 30 mol % to about 100 mol %, or about 40 mol % to about 100 mol %, or about 50 mol % to about 100 mol %, or about 60 mol % to about 100 mol %, or about 70 mol % to about 100 mol %, or about 80 mol % to about 100 mol %, or about 90 mol % to about 100 mol %, or about 20 mol % to about 80 mol %, or about 30 mol % to about 70 mol %, or about 40 mol % to about 60 mol %, or about 60 mol % to about 80 mol % acrylamide monomers.

In embodiments, the polymer comprises about 0.1 ppm to about 20000 ppm labile or non-labile cross-linked monomer units based on the weight of the polymer, or about 0.1 ppm to about 10000 ppm, or about 0.1 ppm to about 5000 ppm, or about 0.1 ppm to about 1000 ppm, or about 0.1 ppm to about 100 ppm, or about 1 ppm to about 20000 ppm, or about 10 ppm to about 20000 ppm, or about 100 ppm to about 20000 ppm, or about 1000 ppm to about 20000 ppm, or about 5000 ppm to about 20000 ppm, or about 10000 ppm to about 20000 ppm, or about 100 ppm to about 10000 ppm, or about 1000 ppm to about 5000 ppm cross-linked monomer units based on the weight of the polymer. In embodiments, the cross-linking monomer is glyoxal bis(acrylamide).

In embodiments, the polymer including the cross-linking monomer comprises about 100 ppm to about 10000 ppm of a w/o latex, or about 100 ppm to about 5000 ppm, or about 100 ppm to about 1000 ppm, or about 100 ppm to about 500 ppm, or about 500 ppm to about 10000 ppm, or about 1000 ppm to about 10000 ppm, or about 5000 ppm to about 10000 ppm, or about 500 ppm to about 5000 ppm, or about 100 ppm to about 1000 ppm, of a w/o latex.

In embodiments, one or more polymers are present substantially within the water phase in an w/o latex. In embodiments, the polymers are present within the w/o latices at about 15 wt % to 70 wt % based on the total weight of the latex, or about 17 wt % to 70 wt %, or about 19 wt % to 70 wt %, or about 21 wt % to 70 wt %, or about 23 wt % to 70 wt %, or about 25 wt % to 70 wt %, or about 15 wt % to 68 wt %, or about 15 wt % to 66 wt %, or about 15 wt % to 64 wt %, or about 15 wt % to 62 wt %, or about 15 wt % to 60 wt %, or about 15 wt % to 58 wt %, or about 15 wt % to 56 wt %, or about 25 wt % to 65 wt %, or about 30 wt % to 60 wt %, or about 30 wt % to 60 wt % based on the total weight of the latex.

The polymers present within the water phase of a w/o latex are often, though not exclusively, formed in situ by dissolving one or more monomers in the water phase, then adding a water phase into an oil phase bearing a surfactant to form the emulsion, followed by polymerization of the monomers to form a polymer w/o latex. Such latices are used for EOR applications.

Also present in the w/o latex is an amount of water sufficient to form a water phase within the latex. Water is present in the w/o latex at about 3 wt % to 50 wt % based on the total weight of the latex, or about 5 wt % to 50 wt %, or about 10 wt % to 50 wt %, or about 15 wt % to 50 wt %, or about 20 wt % to 50 wt %, or about 25 wt % to 50 wt %, or about 3 wt % to 45 wt %, or about 3 wt % to 40 wt %, or about 3 wt % to 35 wt %, or about 3 wt % to 30 wt %, or about 3 wt % to 25 wt %, or about 5 wt % to 45 wt %, or about 5 wt % to 40 wt %, or about 5 wt % to 35 wt %, or about 5 wt % to 30 wt %, or about 5 wt % to 25 wt % based on the total weight of the w/o latex. In some embodiments, the water is a water source.

Also present in the w/o latex is an amount of oil sufficient to form an oil phase within the latex. In some embodiments, the oil is not flammable at temperatures less than about 90° C., or less than about 80° C., or less than about 70° C. In some embodiments, the oil is a mixture of compounds, wherein the mixture is less than 0.1 wt % soluble in water at 25° C. and is substantially a liquid over the range of 20° C. to 90° C. In some embodiments, the oil comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of one or more linear, branched, or cyclic hydrocarbon moieties, aryl or alkaryl moieties, or combinations of two or more such moieties. In some embodiments, the oil has a density of about 0.8 g/L to 1.0 g/L, for example about 0.8 g/L to 0.9 g/L. Examples of suitable oils include decane, dodecane, isotridecane, cyclohexane, toluene, xylene, and mixed paraffin solvents such as those sold under the trade name ISOPAR® by ExxonMobil Corp. of Irving, Tex. In embodiments, the oil is present in the w/o latex at about 10 wt % to 40 wt % based on the total weight of the w/o latex, or about 15 wt % to 40 wt %, or about 20 wt % to 40 wt %, or about 22 wt % to 40 wt %, or about 24 wt % to 40 wt %, or about 26 wt % to 40 wt %, or about 28 wt % to 40 wt %, or about 30 wt % to 40 wt %, or about 10 wt % to 38 wt %, or about 10 wt % to 36 wt %, or about 10 wt % to 34 wt %, or about 10 wt % to 32 wt %, or about 10 wt % to 30 wt %, or about 10 wt % to 25 wt %, or about 10 wt % to 20 wt %, or about 15 wt % to 35 wt %, or about 20 wt % to 30 wt % based on the total weight of the w/o latex.

Also present in the w/o latex is one or more latex surfactants. Latex surfactants are employed to form and stabilize the w/o latices during polymerization and to maintain latex stability until inversion. Generally the latex surfactant is present at about 20 wt % or less based on the weight of the latex. Conventionally employed surfactants for w/o latices used for EOR applications include nonionic ethoxylated fatty acid esters, ethoxylated sorbitan fatty acid esters, sorbitan esters of fatty acids such as sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monostearate, and sorbitan monooleate, block copolymers of ethylene oxide and hydroxyacids having a C₁₀-C₃₀ linear or branched hydrocarbon chain, and blends of two or more of these targeted to achieve a selected hydrophilic/lipophilic balance (HLB). Those of skill will understand that a plethora of surfactants are employed throughout the industry to form and stabilize w/o latices, serving as emulsifiers for polymerization of monomers and further maintaining emulsion stability of the polymer formed therein until subsequent use in the field. Any nonionic surfactants and blends thereof conventionally employed in w/o latices for EOR applications are suitably employed in conjunction with the present invention. In embodiments, the latex surfactant is a single nonionic surfactant or blend thereof having a combined HLB value of about 2 to 10, for example about 3 to 10, or about 4 to 10, or about 5 to 10, or about 6 to 10, or about 7 to 10, or about 8 to 10, or about 2 to 9, or about 2 to 8, or about 2 to 7, or about 2 to 6, or about 2 to 5, or about 3 to 9, or about 4 to 8.

Representative amounts of the above listed materials are suitably included in one or more w/o latices useful to stabilize one or more EOR applications, wherein the amounts are suitably selected to provide optimal kinetic stability of the emulsion. In some embodiments, amounts of the above listed materials are suitably employed in one or more w/o latices to form a microemulsion or a nanoemulsion, wherein such emulsions are characterized by one or more properties of thermodynamic stability and optical transparency. Representative amounts of these materials are shown below, wherein these amounts are intended to be representative of the w/o latices useful in conjunction with the methods and materials of the invention. Useful w/o latices are not limited to those shown below. A specific example of a w/o latex formulation is provided in Example 2. Where amounts listed below do not add up to 100 wt %, one or more additional components are also present in the latex.

Amount in a w/o Latex, wt % Phase Material Latex 1 Latex 2 Latex 3 Latex 4 Latex 5 Oil Oil 25 30 10 20 25 (solvent) Latex 15 5 3 5 20 Surfactant Water Monomer 50 25 50 35 40 or Polymer Water 5 40 10 3 10

The w/o latices optionally include one or more additives. Salts, buffers, acids, bases, dyes, thermal stabilizers, metal chelators, coalescing solvents, and the like are optionally included in the w/o latices. In some embodiments, the additives include one or more corrosion inhibitors, scale inhibitors, emulsifiers, water clarifiers, hydrogen sulfide scavengers, gas hydrate inhibitors, biocides, pH modifiers, antioxidants, asphaltene inhibitors, or paraffin inhibitors. While the amount of an additive usefully employed in the w/o latex depends on the additive and the intended application, in general the amount of any individual additive is about 0 wt % to 5 wt % based on the total weight of the w/o latex, or about 0 wt % to 4 wt %, or about 0 wt % to 3 wt %, or about 0 wt % to 2 wt %, or about 0 wt % to 1 wt % based on the total weight of the latex.

In embodiments, the w/o latices are made using conventional equipment and methodology. Thus, in embodiments a w/o latex containing the monomers is formed and the polymerization is conducted within the water phase of the latex. In other embodiments the polymer is formed in a water solution, and the solution is used to form a w/o latex. In such embodiments, the w/o latex is formed after polymerization is complete by adding one or more surfactants and one or more oils to the water-based polymer composition and emulsifying the combined components as described above.

In embodiments, the water in the w/o latex is substantially removed after polymerization to produce a more concentrated latex product by distillation, vacuum drying, spray drying, or a combination thereof. In embodiments, the oil in the w/o latex is substantially removed and recycled after polymerization to produce a more concentrated latex product by distillation, vacuum drying, spray drying, or any combination thereof.

Inversion Surfactants

Inversion of the presently disclosed w/o latices is facilitated by an inversion surfactant. Useful inversion surfactants comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of surfactants or blends thereof having an HLB of about 10 to 40, or about 10 to 35, or about 10 to 30, or about 10 to 25, or about 10 to 20, or about 10 to 15, or about 15 to 40, or about 20 to 40, or about 25 to 40, or about 30 to 40, or about 35 to 40, or about 15 to 35, or about 20 to 30. In some embodiments, the inversion surfactant is nonionic and includes one or more compounds comprising one or more ethoxy groups, propoxy groups, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the inversion surfactant is ionic and includes one or more carboxylate, sulfonate, phosphate, phosphonate, phosphonium, or ammonium moieties. In some embodiments, the inversion surfactant includes a linear or branched C₈-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl moiety. In some such embodiments, the inversion surfactant is an alkoxylated alcohol such as an ethoxylated, propoxylated, or ethoxylated/propoxylated alcohol, wherein the alcohol includes a linear or branched C₈-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl moiety. In some such embodiments, the inversion surfactant includes about 4 and 40 ethylene oxide repeat units and 0 to about 10 propylene oxide repeat units. In some embodiments, the inversion surfactant includes a sorbitan moiety. In some embodiments, the inversion surfactant is a block copolymer. In some such embodiments, the block copolymer is linear, branched, or hyperbranched. Examples of suitable inversion surfactants are listed in McCutcheon's Emulsifiers & Detergents, MC Publishing Co., 2015 edition.

The inversion surfactant may be added before, concurrently with, or after addition of an inversion agent, described below, to a w/o latex. In embodiments, in order to facilitate inversion of a w/o latex, the inversion surfactant is added to a latex at about 0.1 wt % to 20 wt % based on the total weight of the w/o latex, or about 0.1 wt % to 15 wt %, 0.1 wt % to 10 wt %, or about 0.1 wt % to 7.5 wt %, 0.1 wt % to 6.0 wt % based on the total weight of the w/o latex, or about 0.5 wt % to 5.5 wt %, or about 1.0 wt % to 5.0 wt %, or about 1.5 wt % to 4.5 wt %, or about 2.0 wt % to 4.0 wt %, or about 2.5 wt % to 3.5 wt %, or about 0.1 wt % to 5.5 wt %, or about 0.1 wt % to 5.0 wt %, or about 0.1 wt % to 4.5 wt %, or about 0.1 wt % to 4.0 wt %, or about 0.1 wt % to 3.5 wt %, or about 0.5 wt % to 6.0 wt %, or about 1.0 wt % to 6.0 wt %, or about 1.5 wt % to 6.0 wt %, or about 2.0 wt % to 6.0 wt %, or about 2.5 wt % to 6.0 wt %, or about 3.0 wt % to 6.0 wt %, based on the total weight of the w/o latex.

The amount of inversion surfactant may be reduced when an inversion agent (described below) is added to a w/o latex. In embodiments, an inversion agent is added to a w/o latex and the amount of inversion surfactant is reduced by up to 50% compared to a w/o latex that does not include an inversion agent. In embodiments, the inversion agent is added to a latex at about 0.1 wt % to 10 wt % based on the total weight of the w/o latex, or about 0.1 wt % to 7.5 wt %, 0.1 wt % to 5.0 wt % based on the total weight of the w/o latex, or about 1.5 wt % to 4.5 wt %, or about 2.0 wt % to 4.0 wt %, or about 2.5 wt % to 3.5 wt %, or about 0.1 wt % to 4.5 wt %, or about 0.1 wt % to 4.0 wt %, or about 0.1 wt % to 3.5 wt %, or about 0.5 wt % to 5.0 wt %, or about 1.0 wt % to 5.0 wt %, or about 1.5 wt % to 5.0 wt %, or about 2.0 wt % to 5.0 wt %, or about 2.5 wt % to 5.0 wt %, or about 3.0 wt % to 5.0 wt %, based on the total weight of the w/o latex.

Inversion Agents

We have found inversion agents that when added to conventional w/o latices of water soluble polymers in the presence of an inverting surfactant form invertible latices. The invertible latices are characterized by the rapid and complete inversion thereof under conditions wherein the water source used to invert the latex is about 30° C. to 100° C., or about 40° C. to 100° C., or about 50° C. to 100° C., or about 60° C. to 100° C. Further, the invertible latices are characterized by the rapid and complete inversion thereof under conditions wherein the water source used to invert the latex includes about 0.1 to 30 wt % total dissolved solids. Still further, the invertible latices are characterized by the rapid and complete inversion thereof under conditions wherein the water source used to invert the latex is about 30° C. to 100° C. and further includes about 0.1 to 30 wt % total dissolved solids.

In embodiments, inversion agents of the invention comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nonionic compound. As used herein, a nonionic compound is a branched alkylene oxide oligomer or polymer. The oligomer is at least a dimer. In some embodiments, the branched polymer is a hyperbranched polymer. In some embodiments, the nonionic compound is a mixture of two or more nonionic compounds.

In embodiments, the nonionic compounds are not surface active agents in w/o latices. That is, they do not tend to lower the surface tension between water and oil phases in a w/o latex. As used herein, a compound that is not a surfactant is one that reduces the surface tension of water in a 0.5% active solution at room temperature by 35% or less, by 30% or less, by 25% or less, by 20% or less, or by 10% or less, or by 5% or less. (Example 8.)

In embodiments, inversion agents of the invention comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of compounds with an HLB as calculated by the Griffin formula:

HLB=20×MW _(H)/(MW _(H) +MW _(L)),

where MW_(H)=mol. wt. of hydrophile and MW_(L)=mol. wt. of hydrophobe,

of greater than about 10, of greater than about 15, or greater than about 16, or greater than about 17, or greater than about 18, or greater than about 19, or about 16 to 20, or about 17 to 20, or about 18 to 20. As calculated herein, ethoxylate values were used as a proxy for glycerol values; pentaerythritol and propylene oxide were considered lipophilic; and ethylene oxide, glycerol, and glycidol were considered hydrophilic.

Examples of nonionic inversion agents comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of structured polyols, branched glycols, and branched, cyclic glycerol-based polyols. Examples of structured polyols include polyalkoxylates of organic compounds having three or more hydroxyl moieties, such as sugar alcohols. Thus, ethoxylates of glycerol, pentaerythritol, or sorbitol, and propoxylate ethoxylates of glycerol, pentaerythritol, or sorbitol having an average of 1 to 20 alkoxylate repeat units per hydroxyl moiety are examples of suitable structured polyols.

Branched, cyclic glycerol-based polyols are as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/092743, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In some embodiments, the glycerol-based polyols have the following structure:

where each m, n, o, p, q, and r is independently any integer; and R and R¹ are (CH₂)_(n) and n in (CH₂)_(n) is independently 0 or 1.

In some embodiments, the sum of m, n, o, p, q, and r is from 2 to 135, or from 5 to 135, or from 10 to 135, or from 20 to 135, or from 30 to 135, or from 40 to 135, or from 50 to 135, or from 60 to 135, or from 70 to 135, or from 80 to 135, or from 90 to 135, or from 100 to 135, or from 110 to 135, or from 120 to 135, or from 2 to 130, or from 2 to 120, or from 2 to 110, or from 2 to 100, or from 2 to 90, or from 2 to 80, or from 2 to 70, or from 2 to 60, or from 2 to 50, or from 2 to 40, or from 2 to 30, or from 2 to 20, or from 2 to 10.

The glycerol-based polyols may be polyglycerols, polyglycerol derivatives, polyols having glycerol-based monomer units and non-glycerol monomer units, or combinations thereof. The glycerol and glycerol-based monomer units may be selected from the following structures I-VIII:

where each n and n′ is independently any integer.

Glycerol monomer units may self-condense to form the 6- or 7-membered structures V-VII. The non-glycerol monomer units may include polyols such as pentaerythritol and glycols, amines, other monomers capable of reacting with glycerol or glycerol-based polyol intermediates and any combination thereof. The glycerol-based polyols may have at least two hydroxyl groups.

In some embodiments, a glycerol-based polyol has a degree of branching of about 0.1 to about 0.5, or about 0.2 to about 0.5, or about 0.1 to about 0.4. As used herein, “degree of branching” means the mol fraction of monomer units at the base of a chain branching away from the main polymer chain relative to a perfectly branched dendrimer. The degree of branching is determined by ¹³C NMR as described in Macromolecules (1999) 32:4240-4246. Cyclic units are not included in the degree of branching. In a perfect dendrimer the degree of branching is 1 or 100%.

In some embodiments, a glycerol-based polyol has a degree of cyclization of about 0.01 to about 0.19, or about 0.02 to about 0.19, or about 0.05 to about 0.19, or about 0.10 to about 0.19, or about 0.02 to about 0.18, or about 0.02 to about 0.15, or about 0.02 to about 0.10, or about 0.15 to about 0.18. As used herein, “degree of cyclization” means the mol fraction of cyclic structure units, such as structures V-VII above, relative to the total monomer units in a polymer. The degree of cyclization may be determined by ¹³C NMR.

A glycerol-based polyol has an average molecular weight of at least about 166 Daltons. In some embodiments, a glycerol based polyol has an average molecular weight of about 166 Daltons to about 10,000 Daltons, or about 240 Daltons to about 10,000 Daltons, or about 314 Daltons to about 10,000 Daltons, or about 388 Daltons to about 10,000 Daltons, or about 462 Daltons to about 10,000 Daltons, or about 1,000 Daltons to about 10,000 Daltons, or about 2,000 Daltons to about 10,000 Daltons, or about 3,000 Daltons to about 10,000 Daltons, or about 4,000 Daltons to about 10,000 Daltons, or about 5,000 Daltons to about 10,000 Daltons, or about 166 Daltons to about 9,000 Daltons, or about 166 Daltons to about 8,000 Daltons, or about 166 Daltons to about 7,000 Daltons, or about 166 Daltons to about 6,000 Daltons, or about 166 Daltons to about 5,000 Daltons, or about 166 Daltons to about 4,000 Daltons, or about 166 Daltons to about 3,000 Daltons, or about 166 Daltons to about 2,000 Daltons, or about 166 Daltons to about 1,000 Daltons.

Examples of hyperbranched polymers include highly-branched glycidol-based polyols as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,822,068 and poly(glycidol) multi-branched polymers as disclosed in Sunder et al, Macromolecules (1999) 32:4240-4246, each reference being incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Examples of hyperbranched polymers also include dendrimers as disclosed in Garcia-Bernabé et al, Chem. Eur. J. (2004) 10:2822-2830; Siegers et al, Chem. Eur. J. (2004) 10:2831-2838; and Haag et al, J. Am. Chem. Soc. (2000) 122:2954-2955, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Unexpectedly, the inversion agent, or the inversion agent in combination with the inversion surfactant, reduces the bulk viscosity of the invertible latex. In embodiments, reduced bulk viscosity provides better pumpability for pumping and transferring the invertible latex and/or the polymer flooding solution. The inversion agent, or the inversion agent in combination with the inversion surfactant, may increase the speed of the inversion process, increase the completeness of the inversion process, or both increase the speed and completeness. The resulting polymer flooding solution may thereby demonstrate improved performance.

In embodiments, the inversion agents, or the inversion agents in combination with an inversion surfactant, of the present disclosure facilitate inversion of an invertible latex compared to an invertible latex comprising no inversion agent and/or compared to an invertible latex comprising a known inversion agent such as glycerol. The inversion agents, or the inversion agents in combination with an inversion surfactant, of the present disclosure increase the speed and/or completeness of the inversion process compared to an invertible latex comprising no inversion agent and/or compared to an invertible latex comprising a known inversion agent such as glycerol.

In embodiments, the inversion agents, or the inversion agents in combination with an inversion surfactant, facilitate inversion of an invertible latex under conditions wherein the water source used to invert the latex is about 0° C. to 100° C. In some examples, the inversion agents, or the inversion agents in combination with an inversion surfactant, facilitate inversion of an invertible latex under conditions wherein the water source used to invert the latex is about 4° C., about 25° C., or about 60° C. (Examples 6 and 7.)

In embodiments, the inversion agents, or the inversion agents in combination with an inversion surfactant, facilitate inversion of an invertible latex under conditions wherein the water source used to invert the latex includes about 0.1 to 30 wt % total dissolved solids. In some examples, the inversion agents, or the inversion agents in combination with an inversion surfactant, facilitate inversion of an invertible latex under conditions wherein the water source used to invert the latex includes about 3.5% total dissolved solids. (Examples 6 and 7.)

In embodiments, the inversion agents, or the inversion agents in combination with an inversion surfactant, facilitate inversion of an invertible latex under conditions wherein the water source used to invert the latex is about 0° C. to 100° C. and includes about 0.1 to 30 wt % total dissolved solids. In some examples, the inversion agents, or the inversion agents in combination with an inversion surfactant, facilitate inversion of an invertible latex under conditions wherein the water source used to invert the latex is about 4° C., about 25° C., or about 60° C. and includes about 3.5% total dissolved solids. (Examples 6 and 7.)

Without being limited to any mechanism or mode of action, inversion agents may form hydrogen bonds and/or may affect the osmotic pressure of monomer- or polymer-comprising droplets of the discontinuous internal water phase within the continuous oil phase of a w/o latex. The inversion agents may increase the osmotic pressure of the droplets such that the droplets swell. When combined with a water source to form a polymer flooding solution, the swollen droplets may rupture more easily, facilitating the release of the monomer or polymer into the water. Separately from, or in addition to, the effect on osmotic pressure, the inversion agents may chelate ions within the droplets. Chelation may prevent or limit interaction of ions with the surfactant and thereby facilitate inversion. In embodiments, the branched structure of some inversion agents, such as pentaerythritol ethoxylate and pentaerythritol propoxylate, may facilitate inversion compared to the inclusion of straight chain molecules, such as polyethylene glycol.

In embodiments, the inversion agent is added to a latex in an amount sufficient to facilitate the inversion of a w/o latex. The amount is not so high that it causes the emulsion to break or otherwise be unstable. In embodiments, the inversion agent is added to a latex in an amount less than amounts of known inversion agents. For example, the presently disclosed inversion agent may be added in an amount of from about 0.1 wt % to 5.0 wt % based on the total weight of the w/o latex. In contrast, and as disclosed in US 2014/0051620, glycerol is preferably added in an amount of from about 5 to about 20% by weight.

In embodiments, in order to facilitate inversion of a w/o latex, the inversion agent is added to a latex at about 0.1 wt % to 20.0 wt % based on the total weight of the w/o latex, or about 0.1 wt % to 15.0 wt %, or about 0.1 wt % to 10.0 wt %, or about 0.1 wt % to 7.5 wt %, or about 0.1 wt % to 5.0 wt %, or about 0.5 wt % to 4.5 wt %, or about 1.0 wt % to 4.0 wt %, or about 1.5 wt % to 3.5 wt %, or about 2.0 wt % to 3.0 wt %, or about 0.1 wt % to 4.5 wt %, or about 0.1 wt % to 4.0 wt %, or about 0.1 wt % to 3.5 wt %, or about 0.1 wt % to 3.0 wt %, or about 0.5 wt % to 5.0 wt %, or about 1.0 wt % to 5.0 wt %, or about 1.5 wt % to 5.0 wt %, or about 2.0 wt % to 5.0 wt %, based on the total weight of the w/o latex.

The inversion agent is added to a latex at an inversion surfactant:inversion agent wt:wt ratio of about 10:1, or about 7.5:1, or about 5:1, or about 2.5:1, or about 2:1, or about 1.75:1, or about 1.5:1, or about 1.25:1, or about 1:1, or about 1:10, or about 1:7.5, or about 1:5, or about 1:2.5, or about 1:2, or about 1:1.75, or about 1:1.5, or about 1:1.25.

The inversion surfactant and inversion agent are added to a latex in a combined amount ([inversion surfactant+inversion agent]) of about 0.1 wt % to 20.0 wt % based on the total weight of the w/o latex, or about 0.5 wt % to 18.0 wt %, or about 1.0 wt % to 16.0 wt %, or about 1.5 wt % to 14.0 wt %, or about 2.0 wt % to 12.0 wt %, or about 2.5 wt % to 10.0 wt %, or about 3.0 wt % to 8.0 wt %, or about 3.5 wt % to 7.5 wt %, or about 4.0 wt % to 7.0 wt %, or about 4.5 wt % to 6.5 wt %, or about 0.1 wt % to 18.0 wt %, or about 0.1 wt % to 16.0 wt %, or about 0.1 wt % to 14.0 wt %, or about 0.1 wt % to 12.0 wt %, or about 0.1 wt % to 10.0 wt %, or about 0.1 wt % to 8.0 wt %, or about 0.1 wt % to 7.5 wt %, or about 0.1 wt % to 7.0 wt %, or about 0.1 wt % to 6.5 wt %, or about 0.5 wt % to 20.0 wt %, or about 1.0 wt % to 20.0 wt %, or about 1.5 wt % to 20.0 wt %, or about 2.0 wt % to 20.0 wt %, or about 2.5 wt % to 20.0 wt %, or about 3.0 wt % to 20.0 wt %, or about 3.5 wt % to 20.0 wt %, or about 4.0 wt % to 20.0 wt %, or about 4.5 wt % to 20.0 wt %, or about 5.0 wt % to 20.0 wt %, or about 5.5 wt % to 20.0 wt %, or about 6.0 wt % to 20.0 wt %, or about 6.5 wt % to 20.0 wt %, or about 7.0 wt % to 20.0 wt %, or about 7.5 wt % to 20.0 wt %, or about 8.0 wt % to 20.0 wt %, based on the total weight of the w/o latex.

Invertible Latices

Addition of an inversion agent of the present disclosure to a conventional w/o latex in the presence of an inverting surfactant, results in an invertible latex of the invention. The inversion agents may be added to the w/o latex before or after polymerization. The inversion agents may be added to a w/o latex before or after addition of an inverting surfactant. In some embodiments, the inversion agents are characterized as not being surfactants, that is, they are not surface active. Thus, in some embodiments, the invertible latices of the invention comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a conventional w/o latex as described above, an inversion surfactant, and an inversion agent. In embodiments, the inversion agent is added to the w/o latex before polymerizing the monomer via a conventional free-radical or redox initiation. In other embodiments, the inversion agent is added directly to the w/o latex after polymerization is complete.

The invertible latices of the invention are stable or even shelf stable. That is, the invertible latices do not exhibit any observed signs of gross phase separation, coagulation, or precipitation for at least 24 hours at ambient laboratory temperatures. In embodiments, the invertible latex is stable under common ambient conditions for at least 1 day at 20° C.-25° C., or for at least 2 days at 20° C.-25° C., or for at least 1 week at 20° C.-25° C., or for at least 2 weeks at 20° C.-25° C., or for at least 1 month at 20° C.-25° C., or for at least 2 months at 20° C.-25° C., or for at least 1 day at 50° C., or for at least 2 days at 50° C., or for at least 5 days at 50° C., or for at least 10 days at 50° C., or for at least 30 days at 50° C.

Inversion of the Invertible Latices

The invertible latices of the invention invert rapidly and completely when contacted with a water source having high temperature, high total dissolved solids, or both to yield a polymer flooding solution. Numerous advantages are realized by use of the invertible latices of the invention; principal of these is the time savings realized when rapid and complete inversion replaces multi-step, slow, or incomplete inversion in the field. Both the invertible latices and the resulting polymer flooding solutions are characterized by the absence of the manifestations of latex or inversion instability; avoiding latex or inversion instability prevents downtime in the field necessitated by plugged or fouled equipment and avoids damages to reservoirs and plugging the formation.

During inversion, a water source is contacted with an invertible latex in one or more steps including one or more mixing and/or shearing processes to result in a polymer flooding solution having 1 wt % polymer or less. In some embodiments, the invertible latices of the invention provide for a simple, one-step inversion process characterized by absence of instabilities manifested as coagulation or precipitation of polymer or gross phase separation of the water phase from the oil phase prior to dissolution. It is a feature of the invention that the invertible latices of the invention provide for a simple, one-step inversion process in the presence of water sources contacted with the invertible latex at temperatures of about 30° C. to 100° C., or about 40° C. to 100° C., or about 50° C. to 100° C., or about 60° C. to 100° C. It is a feature of the invention that the invertible latices of the invention provide for a simple, one-step inversion process in the presence of water sources contacted with the invertible latex wherein the water source contacting the invertible latex includes about 0.1 to 30 wt % total dissolved solids. It is a feature of the invention that the invertible latices of the invention provide for a simple, one-step inversion process wherein the water source contacting the invertible latex includes about 0.1 to 30 wt % total dissolved solids and further contacts the inversion composition at about 30° C. to 100° C.

During the inversion process, the presence of the inversion agent reduces or prevents the coagulation of the polymer in the polymer flooding solution; reduces or prevents “hardening” or “raincycle” (evaporation, condensation) during storage that leads to formation of viscous masses on the surface and in the bulk; and prevents formation of lumps, skin, crust, or “waxing” due to the sensitivity of the invertible latex to shear during the pumping, filtration and stirring steps to which the latices are subjected in EOR applications, which in turn leads to the breakage of the mechanical seals of the pumps or the plugging of the filters, valves and check valves.

The polymer flooding solution typically includes about 1 wt % or less of polymer, other (residual) compounds from the inverted latex, and any dissolved solids present in the water source. The polymer flooding solutions of the invention are characterized by absence of gel particles, absence of gross phase separation, and/or absence other manifestations of inversion instability of w/o latices.

Inversion of the invertible latices to form the polymer flooding solutions is accomplished using conventional techniques and equipment, which is an unexpected benefit of employing the inversion agent of the invention using water sources that are high temperature, high total dissolved solids, or both high temperature/high total dissolved solids water sources. In some embodiments, inversion of invertible latices to form the polymer flooding solutions is suitably accomplished in a single step including dilution and mixing of the invertible latex with the water source to the target polymer concentration in the polymer flooding solution. In other embodiments, inversion of invertible latices to form the polymer flooding solutions is suitably accomplished in two dilution/mixing steps to reach the target polymer concentration. In some embodiments, the inversion and dilution to a target concentration of less than 1 wt % is accomplished in about 1 to 15 minutes, for example about 1 to 14, 1 to 13, 1 to 12, 1 to 11, 1 to 10, 1 to 9, 1 to 8, 1 to 7, 1 to 6, 1 to 5, 2 to 15, 3 to 15, 4 to 15, 5 to 15, 6 to 15, 7 to 15, 8 to 15, 9 to 15, 10 to 15, 2 to 10, 2 to 9, 2 to 8, 3 to 10, 3 to 9, 3 to 8, 4 to 10, 4 to 9, 4 to 8, or 4 to 7 minutes.

After inversion, the polymer flooding solutions comprise about 100 ppm to 10,000 ppm (0.01 wt % to 1.00 wt %) polymer, or about 200 ppm to 5000 ppm, or about 200 ppm to 4000 ppm, or about 200 ppm to 3000 ppm, or about 200 ppm to 2500 ppm polymer. In some embodiments the water source contacts the invertible latex at a temperature of about 30° C. to 100° C., or about 40° C. to 100° C., or about 50° C. to 100° C., or about 60° C. to 100° C. In other embodiments, the water source includes about 0.1 to 30 wt % total dissolved solids. In still other embodiments, the water source includes about 0.1 to 30 wt % total dissolved solids and further contacts the inversion composition at about 30° C. to 100° C.

A water source is water or a water solution having up to about 30.0 wt % total dissolved solids (TDS), or about 0.1 wt % to 29.0 wt %, or about 0.5 wt % to 28.0 wt %, or about 1.0 wt % to 27.0 wt %, or about 2.0 wt % to 25.0 wt %, or about 3.0 wt % to 20.0 wt % TDS. “High TDS” water sources have TDS of at least about 1 wt %. Thus in embodiments a water source includes one or more dissolved solid materials including but not limited to salts, ions, buffers, acids, bases, surfactants, compounds employed in the water used in mining operations, or other dissolved, dispersed, or emulsified compounds, materials, components, or combinations thereof. Nonlimiting examples of water sources include hard water, produced water from mining operations, brackish water, sea water, municipal waste water, tap water, “gray water”, and the like. Water sources having high TDS and high temperature are often encountered in use for EOR applications. For example, hydraulic fracturing and conventional oil recovery often results in produced water having high TDS, temperatures in excess of 60° C., or both; rather than use fresh water, in such situations it is economical to reuse the produced water as the water source for inversion processes.

In some embodiments, the method of inverting the invertible latices involves conventional inverting equipment. While inverting a latex is often accomplished in the field using high shear, stepwise dilution for efficiency in achieving full dilution and hydration of a polymer at the desired use level, we have found that relatively low shear mixing is advantageous in some embodiments for inverting the invertible latices of the invention. Such techniques are advantageous because avoiding some or all shear on the polymer chains during dissolution results in a higher final viscosity of the polymer flooding solution by reducing or eliminating chain scission of the high molecular weight polymers. It is a feature of the invertible latices of the invention that low-shear techniques that avoid substantial amounts of chain scission are suitably used in rapid inversion to result in polymer flooding solutions characterized by lack of manifestations of instability as discussed above.

Low shear inverting equipment employed to invert the invertible latices of the invention include static mixers. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,383,560 describes an apparatus employing a two-step inversion apparatus. In the first step, a w/o polymer latex is diluted to yield a polymer solution having about 5000 ppm to 20,000 ppm polymer solids employing a first static mixer having a pressure drop of at least 2 bars between the inlet and outlet thereof. In the second step, the partially diluted latex is applied to a second static mixer having a pressure drop of at least 1 bar between the inlet and outlet, and is further diluted to result in a polymer solution having between 500 and 3000 ppm, in practice between 1000 and 2000 ppm polymer solids. Such a two-step dilution system is usefully employed in conjunction with the invertible latices of the present invention. Conventional static mixers, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,383,560 are usefully employed; other low shear mixers and pumps are used in addition to, or as a replacement for, one or more static mixers described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,383,560.

Unexpectedly, we have further found that it is possible to employ a single stage inversion of the invertible latices by employing the inversion agents of the invention: that is, a single dilution step with a water source is usefully employed to dilute the invertible latices to form a polymer flooding solution at the final use concentration of about 100 ppm to 10,000 ppm. No intermediate or step-down dilution is required to form the polymer flooding solution. The polymer flooding solutions of the invention are characterized by the substantial absence of gels and solution instabilities in the field. This finding is significant because conventional w/o latices, subjected to a single dilution step in the field, result in substantial gel particles and/or solution instabilities that cause plating out or plugging of equipment used to carry out EOR by polymer flooding. Conventional water-in-oil EOR latices require two or more dilution steps and several hours to complete inversion to result in a polymer solution.

In some embodiments, after the invertible latices are contacted with water source to form a polymer flooding solution in a single dilution step, the polymer continues to build viscosity for about 0.5 minute to 120 minutes, or about 0.75 minute to 115 minutes, or about 1 minute to 110 minutes, or about 2 minutes to 105 minutes, or about 5 minutes to 100 minutes, or about 10 minutes to 90 minutes, or about 15 minutes to 80 minutes, or about 5 minutes to 70 minutes, or about 10 minutes to 70 minutes, or about 20 minutes to 70 minutes, or about 30 minutes to 70 minutes, or about 40 minutes to 70 minutes, or about 50 minutes to 70 minutes, or about 5 minutes to 60 minutes, or about 10 minutes to 60 minutes, or about 20 minutes to 60 minutes, or about 30 minutes to 60 minutes, or about 40 minutes to 60 minutes.

The inverted w/o latices, that is, the polymer flooding solutions of the invention, are characterized by a substantial freedom from gel particles and subsequent final polymer solution instability. The test for gel particle formation consists of measuring the time taken to filter given masses of solution containing 1000 ppm (0.1 wt %) polymer. The solution is contained in a steel bell filter ratio housing pressurized to and maintained at 20 psi. The filter has a diameter of 90 mm and a pore size of 5 microns.

The times required to obtain 90 g (t90 g); 120 g (t120 g); 180 g (t180 gl) and 210 g (t210 g) of filtrate are therefore measured and a filtration quotient (or filter ratio denoted “FR”) is defined, expressed as:

${FR} = \frac{{{\,^{t}210}\mspace{14mu} g} - {{\,^{t}180}\mspace{14mu} g}}{{{\,^{t}120}\mspace{14mu} g} - {{\,^{t}90}\mspace{14mu} g}}$

The time measurement accuracy is 0.1 second.

The FR thus represents the capacity of the polymer solution to plug the filter for two equivalent consecutive mass samples. A typical acceptability criterion of the industry is FR<1.5. Conventional w/o latices employed for formation of polymer flooding solutions cannot achieve this level of filterability even after several hours of stirring in the laboratory. However, the invertible latices of the invention are characterized in that FR<1.5 is suitably achieved in about 5 minutes or less when a water source is contacted with a invertible latex of the invention, for example about 1 to 5 minutes, or about 2 to 5 minutes, or about 3 to 5 minutes, or about 4 to 5 minutes, or about 1 to 4 minutes, or about 1 to 3 minutes.

In a nonlimiting example of an EOR application, a w/o latex is applied to a reservoir as follows. An invertible latex is introduced to a mixing apparatus, wherein a water source is contemporaneously introduced into the apparatus in an amount suitable to form a polymer solution of the desired concentration. A water source, such as a high temperature water source, a high total dissolved solids water source, or a high temperature/high total dissolved solids water source is added to the invertible latex in an amount suitable to target the selected final polymer concentration. The water source is added prior to or contemporaneously with the carrying out of one or more mixing processes to thoroughly mix the invertible latex with the water source and accomplish the inversion.

In some embodiments, inversion of the invertible latices is suitably carried out using conventional equipment and methods used to invert latices in the field. Employing conventional equipment and methods familiar to those of skill in inverting w/o latices for EOR applications, it is possible to invert the invertible latex in less than 5 minutes, for example about 1 second to 5 minutes, or about 20 seconds to 5 minutes, or about 30 seconds to 5 minutes, or about 1 minute to 5 minutes, or about 2 minutes to 5 minutes, or about 1 second to 4 minutes, or about 1 second to 3 minutes, or about 1 second to 2 minutes, or about 1 second to 1 minute.

In some embodiments, inversion is suitably carried out by subjecting the invertible latices of the invention to a single-step inversion by diluting the latices with a water source and efficiently mixing the water source and the invertible latex in a single step. Devices suitable to achieve a one-step inversion include static mixers, paddle or blade mixers, mixing pumps, and the like. Any devices conventionally employed for w/o latex inversion are suitably employed to invert the invertible latices of the invention.

While the foregoing description is centered on EOR applications, water soluble polymers and latices thereof are also usefully employed in one or more papermaking applications using a Fourdrinier or inclined Fourdrinier apparatus, wherein water-based furnishes dispensed onto a wire can include an EOR-type polymer to improve the rheological profile of the furnish as dictated by machine or application parameters. In such applications, the invertible latices of the invention are advantageously employed due to rapid inversion upon addition to a furnish (a water-based dispersion of fibers) to result in a polymer solution similar to the polymer flooding solutions as described above. In papermaking applications, it is desirable to use tap water or another water-based solution to form the furnish and the w/o latices of the invention are suitable for use with water-based furnishes employing water-based solutions having high TDS, at elevated temperatures, or both. Papermaking includes making paper—that is, cellulose based mats—as well as other nonwoven fibrous mats such as filtration media that employ e.g. thermoplastic and glass fibers in addition to or instead of cellulose based fibers. One of skill will appreciate that other industrial uses, such as in wastewater treatment, mining services, or energy services, of the w/o latices of the invention are similarly envisioned.

EXAMPLES Abbreviations

PEG—Polyethylene glycol

PEO—Pentaerythritol ethoxylate

PG—Polyglycerol

PPO—Pentaerythritol propoxylate

Example 1

The nonionic inversion agents used in the following examples were purchased from Sigma Aldrich (St. Louis, Mo.) except for the polyglycerols, which were synthesized according to the method described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/092743. Briefly, a reaction mixture of glycerol and a strong base catalyst at a concentration greater than 2% was stirred and gradually heated to between 230° C. and 260° C. under inert gas flow for up to 16 hours.

Example 2

Water-in-oil latices were prepared using the components of Table 1.

TABLE 1 Components of w/o latices. Material Wt % Water Phase Acrylamide 49.5% 38.2953 DI water 15.0941 Acrylic acid 7.6437 Sodium hydroxide 8.2524 Sodium formate 0.0340 VERSENEX ® 80 (pentasodium 0.0300 diethylenetriaminepentaacetate) Oil Phase Hydrocarbon solvent (hydrotreated light distillate) 27.1845 Sorbitan sesquioleate (Span 83 ™ or Arlacel 83 ™, Croda 0.8234 International PLC, Yorkshire, United Kingdom) Polyoxyethylene (40-50) sorbitol hexaoleate 2.5747 HYPERMER ® B210 (Croda International PLC, Yorkshire, 0.0194 United Kingdom) Initiator 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile 0.0288 Post treatment/reduction of acrylamide residual TBHP (tertiary butyl hydroperoxide) 70% 0.0064 Sodium metabisulfite 0.0133

Polymerization of the components of Table 1 was conducted at 38 to 44° C. for 3 to 4 hours and post heated for 57° C. for 30 minutes. The latex polymer (an acrylic acid and acrylamide copolymer) was then agitated at 800 rpm using a cage stirrer at room temperature. A nonionic inversion agent (2-3 wt %, neutralized to pH 7), then a stabilizer (ammonium thiocyanate, 0.125%), and then an inverting surfactant (tridecyl alcohol ethoxylate (TDA-12), 3.3%) were added with agitation. Control latices did not include an inversion agent. The resulting blend was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes to produce a w/o latex for the invertibility analysis of Examples 6 and 7.

Example 3

The stability of the w/o latices produced in Example 2 was evaluated and stability data is presented in Table 2. Stability was assessed by allowing the latices to stand at ambient laboratory temperatures for the indicated amount of time, and the amount of oil phase that separates from the latex (oil split) was observed as an indication of latex stability; the bulk viscosity (BV) of the lattices was also measured before and after standing.

TABLE 2 Stability data of the w/o latices of Example 2. Inversion Agent Oil Split Latex BV Latex BV Aging (3 wt %) (%) (initial, cP) (Final, cP) Time Polyglycerol 1 4.76 1012 886 2 months Polyglycerol 2 4.76 960 869 2 months

The stability data presented in Table 2 demonstrates that w/o latices comprising nonionic inversion agents remained stable after 2 months. The oil split was low and no significant change in the latex BV was observed.

Example 4

Water-in-oil latices were prepared using the components of Table 3.

TABLE 3 Components of w/o latices. Material Wt % Acrylamide 49.5% 38.2953 DI water 13.1717 Acrylic acid 7.6437 Sodium hydroxide 50% 8.3457 Sodium formate 0.0340 Glyoxal 40% 0.0117 VERSENEX ® 80 (pentasodium 0.0300 diethylenetriaminepentaacetate) Hydrocarbon solvent (hydrotreated light distillate) 29.0000 Sorbitan sesquioleate 0.8892 Polyoxyethylene (40-50) sorbitol hexaoleate 2.5108 HYPERMER ® B210 (Croda International PLC, Yorkshire, 0.0194 United Kingdom) 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile 0.0288 TBHP (tert-butyl hydroperoxide) 70% 0.0064 Sodium metabisulfite 0.0133

The w/o latices were prepared as in Example 2. The stability of the w/o latices was evaluated and stability data is presented in Table 4. Stability was assessed by placing the latices in a 50° C. oven for 4.5 months, and the amount of oil phase that separates from the latex (oil split) was observed as an indication of latex stability; the bulk viscosity (BV) of the lattices was also measured before and after standing.

TABLE 4 Stability data of the w/o latices of Table 3. Inversion Inversion Oil Split Latex BV Latex BV Agent (2 wt %) Agent (1 wt %) (%) (initial, cP) (Final, cP) Polyglycerol 2 Lactic acid 14.63 812 988

The stability data presented in Table 4 demonstrates that w/o latices comprising nonionic inversion agents remained stable after 4.5 months.

Example 5

The bulk viscosity (BV) of each of the w/o latices produced in Example 2 was measured at room temperature using a Brookfield DV-E viscometer. BV data for w/o latices comprising 3 wt % of a nonionic inversion agent are presented in Table 5.

TABLE 5 Bulk viscosity data of w/o latices of Example 2 comprising 3 wt % of a nonionic inversion agent. Inversion Agent (3 wt %) MW of polyglycerols (Da) BV (cps) None (Control) N/A 2432 Glycerol N/A 2152 Polyglycerol 1 260 1012 Polyglycerol 2 960 960 Pentaerythritol ethoxylate N/A 1960 Pentaerythritol propoxylate N/A 480 Polyethylene glycol N/A 1400

The data of Table 5 demonstrate that the w/o latices of Example 2 comprising 3 wt % of a nonionic inversion agent had bulk viscosities lower than w/o latices comprising no inversion agent (control SC latices) and lower than w/o latices comprising 3 wt % glycerol. The inclusion of a nonionic inversion agent in w/o latices decreased bulk viscosity 19% to 80% over control latices and 9% to 78% over w/o latices comprising glycerol. The inclusion of 3 wt % glycerol in w/o latices had a negligible effect on bulk viscosity. The lower BVs of the w/o latices comprising a nonionic inversion agent provide better pumpability for pumping and transferring the invertible latices.

Example 6

The invertibility of the w/o latices of Example 2 was determined by torque monitor technique. A torque monitor is a qualitative analytical tool comprising a DC stir motor, a controller that can report the torque (DC voltage) required to maintain a constant stir speed, and a computer to record the torque reading as a function of time. In a typical experiment, the w/o latex was added to a stirring solution of 3.5% synthetic sea water (Glas-Col Precision Stirrer, obtained from Glas-Col LLC of Terre Haute, Ind.), and the generated torque was monitored as a function of time ([polymer]=10000 ppm, 400 rpm). The analysis was run for 20-30 min to confirm the torque remained stable. Experiments were conducted at 60° C. with high salinity conditions to evaluate the performance of w/o latices under high stress conditions.

The 3.5% synthetic seawater used in the present Example was formed by blending the components of Table 6.

TABLE 6 Components of 3.5% synthetic seawater. Reagent Amount (g) Deionized water 957.99 Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) 0.01 Calcium chloride CaCl₂•2H₂O 1.57 Sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄) 4.38 Magnesium chloride (MgCl₂•6H₂O) 11.39 Sodium chloride (NaCl) 24.65

Example 6A

Torque data at 60° C. for w/o latices comprising 3 wt % of a nonionic inversion agent are presented in Table 7 and FIG. 1.

TABLE 7 Torque data at 60° C. of w/o latices of Example 2 comprising 3 wt % of a nonionic inversion agent. Time Torque (g · cm) (sec) Control Glycerol PG 1 PG 2 0 −0.3713 0.5544 1.1393229 0.4985 20 13.7685 101.3641 52.71403 87.4736 40 116.7145 162.0941 142.84261 155.7312 60 164.8305 173.2839 142.13053 180.7556 80 185.1756 187.7289 147.31852 193.2678 100 191.3808 214.5844 178.243 243.6218 120 169.1030 234.2173 170.10498 243.2149 140 209.6914 197.4945 168.68083 247.3857 160 234.4106 202.4790 212.01579 279.6326 180 193.4153 206.8532 227.88493 268.8497 200 216.6087 227.8086 256.7749 306.8949 220 255.1626 236.2518 254.43522 303.7415 240 250.9918 273.1781 243.85579 309.1329 260 222.6105 295.9646 272.03369 369.8629 280 234.8175 309.6975 304.17887 344.2281 300 284.1543 336.4512 315.5721 369.5577 320 329.1168 318.1407 323.71012 333.8521 340 346.0032 334.3150 324.62565 365.9973 360 319.2495 331.9753 301.33057 340.4643 380 385.7778 344.6910 344.36035 357.1472 400 377.5380 403.3864 315.47038 322.8658 420 286.7991 358.5256 299.49951 323.9848 440 381.7088 329.0253 357.48291 331.1056 460 363.2965 330.0425 319.33594 323.9848 480 370.2138 378.7689 331.23779 328.4607 500 325.6582 329.0253 314.96175 333.7504 520 377.1311 341.2323 372.43652 346.9747 540 361.9741 329.6356 310.99447 324.3917 560 319.4529 339.1978 324.21875 337.2091 580 373.4690 322.8200 331.33952 351.5523 600 321.2840 323.2269 341.41032 321.2382 620 374.3846 360.0515 350.76904 322.1537 640 356.5826 313.8682 347.00521 342.2953 660 350.2757 355.6773 359.92432 313.9140 680 312.6373 371.1395 320.35319 334.3608 700 311.2132 335.4340 353.31217 353.2817 720 363.0931 287.2162 351.68457 328.0538 740 320.2667 376.8361 334.8999 339.3453 760 331.9651 347.3358 316.28418 308.0139 780 332.4738 320.6838 337.84993 318.5933 800 370.0104 355.4738 339.17236 351.0437 820 348.7498 354.4566 350.76904 352.2644 840 326.3702 324.5494 341.51204 318.0847 860 342.9515 330.9580 344.46208 342.4988 880 368.9931 337.8754 286.1735 321.4417 900 354.7516 343.6737 299.90641 302.8259 920 307.4493 305.6285 338.76546 304.2501 940 309.5856 309.7992 331.74642 296.4172 960 309.4838 333.3995 297.66846 332.4280 980 366.4500 345.8099 303.16162 327.1383 1000 347.3256 358.9325 332.76367 324.3917 1020 306.6355 351.2014 343.44482 309.1329 1040 366.3483 307.8664 329.71191 319.0002 1060 294.9371 357.8135 319.43766 353.4851 1080 302.1596 331.6701 307.63753 356.3334 1100 324.0306 342.8599 304.48405 305.6742 1120 299.3113 350.2858 290.95459 334.7677 1140 331.9651 343.2668 331.03434 338.0229 1160 338.6790 350.8962 295.8374 315.6433 1180 358.3120 360.4584 349.24316 282.5826 1200 329.7272 320.0734 289.32699 325.1038

The data of Table 7 and FIG. 1 demonstrate that the w/o latices of Example 2 comprising 3 wt % of a nonionic inversion agent invert as fast as or faster than w/o latices comprising no inversion agent (control w/o latices) at 60° C. in 3.5% SSW and as fast as or faster than w/o latices comprising 3 wt % glycerol at 60° C. in 3.5% SSW. The data of Table 7 and FIG. 1 also demonstrate that the w/o latices of Example 2 comprising 3 wt % of a nonionic inversion agent invert to a greater extent than w/o latices comprising no inversion agent (control w/o latices) at 60° C. in 3.5% SSW and as well as or to a greater extent than w/o latices comprising 3 wt % glycerol at 60° C. in 3.5% SSW. The faster inversion rates and greater extent of inversion of some of the w/o latices comprising a nonionic inversion agent provide better performance of the invertible latices than control w/o latices and w/o latices comprising glycerol under high stress conditions such as high TDS and elevated temperature.

Example 6B

Torque data at 60° C. for w/o latices comprising 3 wt % of a nonionic inversion agent or PEG are presented in Table 8 and FIG. 2.

TABLE 8 Torque data at 60° C. of w/o latices of Example 2 comprising 3 wt % of a nonionic inversion agent or PEG. Torque (g · cm) Time (sec) Control Glycerol PEO PPO PEG 0 −0.3713 0.5544 −0.4018 1.0986 −0.1780 20 13.7685 101.3641 21.8760 82.9875 62.8916 40 116.7145 162.0941 70.1955 162.0280 129.1148 60 164.8305 173.2839 108.3425 164.2660 153.3254 80 185.1756 187.7289 128.3824 184.5093 153.9358 100 191.3808 214.5844 140.5894 220.9269 152.8168 120 169.1030 234.2173 156.8654 230.8960 148.0357 140 209.6914 197.4945 184.7382 235.1685 175.6032 160 234.4106 202.4790 187.5865 261.6170 185.2671 180 193.4153 206.8532 241.2974 282.1655 146.0012 200 216.6087 227.8086 242.7216 255.2083 158.0048 220 255.1626 236.2518 274.4598 292.3381 174.3825 240 250.9918 273.1781 288.3962 293.0501 198.2880 260 222.6105 295.9646 329.5949 309.4279 188.1154 280 234.8175 309.6975 312.6068 329.7729 196.5586 300 284.1543 336.4512 318.4052 330.3833 174.9929 320 329.1168 318.1407 338.0381 297.9329 183.3344 340 346.0032 334.3150 305.3843 350.2197 204.7984 360 319.2495 331.9753 302.6377 337.0972 206.6294 380 385.7778 344.6910 361.9436 341.9800 208.6639 400 377.5380 403.3864 361.9436 329.9764 231.8573 420 286.7991 358.5256 325.0173 331.4006 259.9335 440 381.7088 329.0253 284.2255 338.8265 255.5593 460 363.2965 330.0425 330.5105 302.8158 266.2404 480 370.2138 378.7689 319.6259 312.7848 282.4148 500 325.6582 329.0253 291.0411 315.4297 288.0096 520 377.1311 341.2323 315.2517 352.2542 288.8234 540 361.9741 329.6356 317.2862 330.6885 299.1994 560 319.4529 339.1978 352.6866 316.5487 337.9567 580 373.4690 322.8200 367.0298 322.0418 309.6771 600 321.2840 323.2269 360.1125 335.0627 348.4344 620 374.3846 360.0515 329.0863 350.3215 310.6944 640 356.5826 313.8682 363.5712 328.6540 338.7705 660 350.2757 355.6773 357.9763 304.7485 305.2012 680 312.6373 371.1395 311.5896 340.9627 345.6879 700 311.2132 335.4340 356.5521 357.3405 312.1185 720 363.0931 287.2162 354.5176 330.4850 340.8051 740 320.2667 376.8361 347.9055 334.2489 309.1685 760 331.9651 347.3358 307.9274 290.5070 328.3946 780 332.4738 320.6838 347.4986 336.7920 309.3719 800 370.0104 355.4738 355.5349 315.2262 314.2548 820 348.7498 354.4566 317.6931 297.4243 339.4826 840 326.3702 324.5494 336.5122 347.4731 308.7616 860 342.9515 330.9580 311.8947 314.8193 330.8360 880 368.9931 337.8754 355.6366 347.3714 326.0549 900 354.7516 343.6737 329.0863 342.4886 305.5064 920 307.4493 305.6285 325.6276 334.4523 293.0959 940 309.5856 309.7992 355.9418 341.2679 325.9532 960 309.4838 333.3995 268.7632 337.7075 296.9615 980 366.4500 345.8099 303.8584 288.9811 301.0305 1000 347.3256 358.9325 310.0637 295.0846 299.5046 1020 306.6355 351.2014 331.1208 315.2262 301.1322 1040 366.3483 307.8664 303.4515 308.7158 308.4564 1060 294.9371 357.8135 317.2862 305.3589 337.0412 1080 302.1596 331.6701 322.7793 308.1055 323.3083 1100 324.0306 342.8599 342.2089 299.2554 321.4773 1120 299.3113 350.2858 299.5860 329.6712 295.9442 1140 331.9651 343.2668 299.9929 317.3625 336.2274 1160 338.6790 350.8962 305.0791 316.2435 335.3119 1180 358.3120 360.4584 344.5485 335.7747 289.6372 1200 329.7272 320.0734 333.3588 310.6486 288.7217

The data of Table 8 and FIG. 2 demonstrate that the w/o latices of Example 2 comprising 3 wt % of a nonionic inversion agent invert faster than w/o latices comprising no inversion agent (control w/o latices) at 60° C. in 3.5% SSW and faster than w/o latices comprising 3 wt % glycerol at 60° C. in 3.5% SSW. The data of Table 8 and FIG. 2 also demonstrate that the w/o latices of Example 2 comprising 3 wt % of a nonionic inversion agent invert to a greater extent than w/o latices comprising no inversion agent (control w/o latices) at 60° C. in 3.5% SSW and to a greater extent than w/o latices comprising 3 wt % glycerol at 60° C. in 3.5% SSW. The faster inversion rates and greater extent of inversion of the w/o latices comprising a nonionic inversion agent provide better performance of the invertible latices than control w/o latices and w/o latices comprising glycerol under high stress conditions such as high TDS and elevated temperature.

Example 7

The invertibility of the w/o latices of Example 2 was determined by torque monitor technique as described in Example 6 with the following modifications. Experiments were conducted at room temperature (ca 25° C.) or 4° C. to evaluate the performance of w/o latices across a range of temperatures.

Example 7A

Torque data at room temperate for w/o latices comprising 3 wt % of a nonionic inversion agent are presented in Table 9 and FIG. 3.

TABLE 9 Torque data at room temperature of w/o latices of Example 2 comprising 3 wt % of a nonionic inversion agent. Time Torque (g · cm) (sec) Control Glycerol PG 1 PG 2 0 −0.0712 −0.0865 0.0916 −0.5137 20 2.0650 26.2604 7.8227 4.5726 40 141.0217 284.3374 240.7735 248.6115 60 295.6441 424.2096 400.0753 400.9959 80 382.3140 531.7332 493.3573 495.7021 100 475.9013 557.2662 497.3246 486.4451 120 447.4182 545.4661 532.7250 471.1863 140 488.6169 518.0003 511.9731 538.1215 160 518.6259 586.9700 551.4425 521.1334 180 498.6877 588.0890 499.2574 550.6337 200 511.0982 564.9974 528.6560 570.1650 220 472.0357 573.1354 497.0194 502.4160 240 460.8459 540.7867 502.4109 503.8401 260 472.7478 522.7814 511.4644 494.2780 280 427.8870 527.3590 483.6934 500.5849 300 450.1648 448.7254 556.1218 485.9365 320 449.4527 520.3400 467.5191 540.1560 340 447.7234 464.7980 495.2901 467.4225 360 438.5681 525.8331 464.7725 480.0364 380 450.5717 453.9134 573.1099 475.2553 400 439.2802 512.1002 508.8196 475.3571 420 431.0404 519.2210 470.8761 519.4041 440 448.0286 454.4220 461.2122 515.7420 460 422.9024 467.9515 492.1366 543.2078 480 431.0404 523.3917 452.6672 455.1137 500 429.2094 438.7563 527.3336 491.8365 520 457.8959 450.8616 463.5518 521.8455 540 426.4628 438.4511 458.2621 469.7622 560 397.8780 433.2631 453.1759 463.0483 580 406.8298 449.3357 446.3603 460.7086 600 438.3647 487.1775 457.9569 471.1863 620 399.5056 423.4975 448.3948 449.1119 640 397.5728 459.7117 439.5447 450.0275 660 392.2831 424.8199 444.2240 495.9056 680 407.2367 493.9931 490.2039 442.0929 700 413.1368 428.3803 486.5417 436.2946 720 421.6817 425.3286 526.2146 480.7485 740 381.5002 457.5755 439.6464 444.2291 760 380.0761 413.1215 501.5971 447.0774 780 399.6073 446.4874 502.0040 449.2137 800 375.0916 468.5618 450.7345 443.4153 820 412.6282 410.3750 426.9307 474.6450 840 438.6698 413.5284 491.4246 518.4886 860 370.6156 446.9961 448.9034 496.6176 880 398.7935 451.3702 426.9307 431.6152 900 374.2778 440.7908 477.7934 426.3255 920 406.1178 409.7646 445.1396 418.5944 940 397.3694 415.3595 457.8552 442.8050 960 373.3622 449.9461 468.7398 508.6212 980 366.4449 457.2703 410.8582 498.6521 1000 426.4628 405.4921 415.8427 435.4808 1020 407.4402 401.8300 409.5357 462.6414 1040 379.3640 410.1715 472.9106 463.3535 1060 432.7698 458.0841 445.0378 501.5004 1080 396.9625 435.0942 436.4929 496.3125 1100 374.8881 402.2369 437.7136 410.6598 1120 408.5592 409.7646 436.3912 494.9900 1140 397.1659 446.8943 455.0069 452.4689 1160 376.5157 412.6129 504.1402 442.4998 1180 391.9779 401.6266 470.0623 495.9056 1200 363.08797 404.06799 457.65177 484.30888

The data of Table 9 and FIG. 3 demonstrate that the w/o latices of Example 2 comprising 3 wt % of a nonionic inversion agent invert faster than w/o latices comprising no inversion agent (control w/o latices) at room temperature in 3.5% SSW and as fast as w/o latices comprising 3 wt % glycerol at room temperature in 3.5% SSW. The data of Table 9 and FIG. 3 also demonstrate that the w/o latices of Example 2 comprising 3 wt % of a nonionic inversion agent invert to a greater extent than w/o latices comprising no inversion agent (control w/o latices) at room temperature in 3.5% SSW and as completely as w/o latices comprising 3 wt % glycerol at room temperature in 3.5% SSW. The faster or comparable inversion rates and greater or comparable extent of inversion of the w/o latices comprising a nonionic inversion agent provide better or comparable performance of the invertible latices than control w/o latices and w/o latices comprising glycerol under high stress conditions such as high TDS.

Example 7B

Torque data at 4° C. for w/o latices comprising 3 wt % of a nonionic inversion agent are presented in Table 10 and FIG. 4.

TABLE 10 Torque data at 4° C. of w/o latices of Example 2 comprising 3 wt % of a nonionic inversion agent. Torque (g · cm) Time (sec) Control Glycerol PG 1 PG 2 0 0.2441 0.0559 −0.6612 0.4628 20 17.2323 85.0983 36.1633 23.7579 40 112.0402 263.9313 230.3569 165.9698 60 150.6958 411.0260 406.9519 236.0586 80 193.5221 478.5716 549.6724 280.1056 100 225.3621 628.4129 570.4244 357.7220 120 215.0879 700.9430 524.5463 363.2151 140 305.3182 589.5538 712.5346 457.0058 160 306.8441 512.1409 545.9086 441.2384 180 334.3099 565.7501 633.0872 479.3854 200 287.2111 553.2379 692.2913 453.4454 220 293.3146 643.6717 630.8492 469.8232 240 317.7287 623.4283 743.1539 494.3390 260 303.3854 702.8758 587.6160 488.0320 280 336.9548 657.9132 555.3691 507.3598 300 341.1255 561.6811 637.7665 480.8095 320 357.5033 678.7669 538.8896 452.6316 340 376.1190 588.4349 551.7069 432.1849 360 352.4170 667.2719 623.9319 426.9969 380 361.4705 609.5937 515.5945 450.4954 400 381.4087 661.2701 519.4600 538.0809 420 384.9691 612.6455 570.4244 534.4187 440 395.7520 557.0017 667.3686 489.6596 460 376.0173 625.4628 616.4042 475.1129 480 376.4242 651.3011 566.6606 448.1557 500 426.9816 604.8126 615.1835 514.9892 520 414.4694 582.0262 496.9788 532.5877 540 378.0518 599.4212 490.7735 531.5704 560 394.7347 561.8846 666.3513 472.0612 580 396.8709 574.0916 561.1674 457.4127 600 396.6675 550.7965 584.8694 456.9041 620 417.0125 573.0743 707.0414 442.0522 640 394.9382 558.7311 648.8546 466.2628 660 393.3105 513.1582 655.8736 464.0249 680 389.3433 484.0647 640.9200 606.5420 700 403.3813 494.4407 515.3910 566.5639 720 398.6003 585.6883 554.9622 550.5931 740 397.0744 553.4414 533.4981 512.0392 760 393.6157 519.1600 484.0597 469.2128 780 403.0762 520.2789 444.0816 458.1248 800 413.5539 487.7268 461.4766 568.1915 820 402.5675 490.0665 465.0370 520.4824 840 393.1071 567.5812 654.7546 449.0712 860 380.1880 509.2926 561.5743 439.9160 880 401.7537 476.9440 476.8372 451.5127 900 395.0399 474.5026 591.0746 443.8833 920 412.6383 455.5817 540.3137 465.9576 940 386.8001 663.4064 489.3494 649.7752 960 403.0762 672.7651 463.5111 561.2742 980 403.1779 460.4645 454.0507 523.2290 1000 395.7520 468.3990 455.5766 465.1438 1020 404.2969 475.9267 491.6890 451.8178 1040 401.6520 492.4062 483.1441 459.6507 1060 396.1589 475.1129 458.1197 680.1910 1080 402.7710 481.7251 458.9335 451.0040 1100 390.7674 567.9881 446.7265 449.3764 1120 395.9554 488.5406 632.8837 429.9469 1140 400.5330 505.8339 459.6456 588.1297 1160 398.1934 477.8595 442.7592 528.5187 1180 392.5985 456.0903 449.5748 452.3265 1200 396.8709 623.5301 445.3023 424.7589

The data of Table 10 and FIG. 4 demonstrate that the w/o latices of Example 2 comprising 3 wt % of a nonionic inversion agent invert faster than w/o latices comprising no inversion agent (control w/o latices) at 4° C. in 3.5% SSW. Some of the w/o latices of Example 2 comprising 3 wt % of a nonionic inversion agent invert as fast as w/o latices comprising 3 wt % glycerol at 4° C. in 3.5% SSW. The data of Table 10 and FIG. 4 also demonstrate that the w/o latices of Example 2 comprising 3 wt % of a nonionic inversion agent invert to a greater extent than w/o latices comprising no inversion agent (control w/o latices) at 4° C. in 3.5% SSW. Some of the w/o latices of Example 2 comprising 3 wt % of a nonionic inversion agent invert as completely as w/o latices comprising 3 wt % glycerol at 4° C. in 3.5% SSW. The faster or comparable inversion rates and greater or comparable extent of inversion of some of the w/o latices comprising a nonionic inversion agent provide better performance of the invertible latices than control w/o latices and w/o latices comprising glycerol under high stress conditions such as high TDS.

The results of Examples 6 and 7 demonstrate that w/o latices comprising a nonionic inversion agent provide improved performance of the invertible latices over control w/o latices and w/o latices comprising glycerol under high stress conditions such as high TDS and across a broad range of temperatures.

Example 8

The surface tension of nonionic inversion agents at 0.5 wt % was measured in a Kruss-K12 processor tensiometer at room temperature. The tested samples were prepared in deionized water and were neutralized with NaOH or H₂SO₄. Data is presented in Table 11 as an average +/− standard deviation (SD) of two experiments.

TABLE 11 Surface tension data of nonionic inversion agents. Inversion Agent or Comparative Surface Tension (mN/m) SD None (deionized water) 72.13 0.14 Lauric Acid 22.17 0.15 PG1 67.69 0.09 PG2 54.02 0.37 PEO 52.32 0.16 PPO 48.85 0.21 PEG 56.24 0.12

The data of Table 11 demonstrate that nonionic inversion agents do not reduce the surface tension of water or reduce the surface tension of water by about 32% or less. By comparison, a known surfactant, lauric acid, reduces the surface tension of water by about 69%.

The invention illustratively disclosed herein can be suitably practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein. Additionally each and every embodiment of the invention, as described herein, is intended to be used either alone or in combination with any other embodiment described herein as well as modifications, equivalents, and alternatives thereof. In various embodiments, the invention suitably comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of the elements described herein and claimed according to the claims. It will be recognized that various modifications and changes may be made without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the scope of the claims. 

1. A water-in-oil latex comprising about 15 wt % to 70 wt % of a water soluble or dispersible polymer comprising 1 mol % to about 100 mol % acrylamide monomers; about 0.1 wt % to 20.0 wt % of an inversion surfactant characterized as having a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of 10 or greater; and about 0.1 wt % to 20.0 wt % of an inversion agent that is a nonionic inversion agent.
 2. The latex of claim 1 comprising about 1.0 wt % to 20.0 wt % of the inversion agent and inversion surfactant combined.
 3. The latex of claim 1, wherein the nonionic inversion agent comprises a nonionic compound characterized as a branched alkylene oxide oligomer or polymer.
 4. The latex of claim 1, wherein the inversion agent is selected from a structured polyol, branched glycol, and branched, cyclic glycerol-based polyol.
 5. The latex of claim 4, wherein the structured polyol is a polyalkoxylate of an organic compound having three or more hydroxyl moieties.
 6. The latex of claim 4, wherein the glycerol-based polyol has the following structure:

wherein each m, n, o, p, q, and r is independently any integer; and R and R¹ are (CH₂)_(n) and n in (CH₂)_(n) is independently 0 or
 1. 7. The latex of claim 1, wherein the inversion agent has a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of greater than
 10. 8. The latex of claim 1, wherein the inversion agent is not a surfactant.
 9. The latex of claim 1 comprising about 0.1 wt % to 5.0 wt % of the nonionic inversion agent.
 10. The latex of claim 1 comprising about 3 wt % to 50 wt % water; about 10 wt % to 40 wt % of a compound or blend thereof that is less than 0.1 wt % soluble in water at 25° C. and is substantially a liquid over the range of 20° C. to 90° C. and comprising linear, branched, or cyclic hydrocarbon moieties; about 20 wt % or less of a latex surfactant characterized as having a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of between 2 and 10; and about 0.1 wt % to 5.0 wt % of the inversion agent.
 11. The latex of claim 1, wherein the latex is shelf stable.
 12. A method of forming an invertible latex, the method comprising (a) forming a water-in-oil latex comprising about 15 wt % to 70 wt % of a water soluble or dispersible polymer; about 3 wt % to 50 wt % water; about 10 wt % to 40 wt % of a compound or blend thereof that is less than 0.1 wt % soluble in water at 25° C. and is substantially a liquid over the range of 20° C. to 90° C. and comprising linear, branched, or cyclic hydrocarbon moieties; and about 20 wt % or less of a latex surfactant characterized as having a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of between 2 and 10; and (b) adding to the latex about 0.1 wt % to 20.0 wt % of an inversion surfactant characterized as having a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of 10 or greater and about 0.1 wt % to 5.0 wt % of a nonionic inversion agent to form an invertible latex.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the invertible latex is shelf stable.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the nonionic inversion agent comprises a nonionic compound characterized as a branched alkylene oxide oligomer or polymer.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the inversion agent is selected from structured polyols, branched glycols, and branched, cyclic glycerol-based polyols.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the structured polyols are polyalkoxylates of organic compounds having three or more hydroxyl moieties.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the glycerol-based polyols have the following structure:

wherein each m, n, o, p, q, and r is independently any integer; and R and R¹ are (CH₂)_(n) and n in (CH₂)_(n) is independently 0 or
 1. 18. A method of recovering hydrocarbon compounds from a subterranean reservoir, the method comprising (a) forming an invertible latex according to the method of claim 11, (b) adding a water source to the invertible latex in a single addition to form a polymer flooding solution comprising about 100 ppm to 10,000 ppm of the water soluble or dispersible polymer, (c) injecting the polymer flooding solution into the subterranean reservoir, and (d) recovering the hydrocarbon compounds.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the water source is about 30° C. to 100° C.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the water source includes about 0.1 to 30 wt % total dissolved solids.
 21. The method of claim 18, wherein the water source is about 30° C. to 100° C. and includes about 0.1 to 30 wt % total dissolved solids. 